Taxonomy
Pompilus cinereus | Leaden Spider Wasp
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Species Biology
Identification
- Body length: 4- 10mm
- Head and thorax primarily black and partially dusted grey
- Abdomen predominantly black but tergites at least partly grey-dusted
- Wingtips smoky-grey in appearance
- Dusted grey legs and long antennae
- Could be confused with other spider-hunting wasps, but the dusted-grey appearance is distinctive. Microscopic analysis may be required in worn specimens
Habitat
Found in sand dune systems and other sandy coastal sites. Fond of loose sand and can occur close to the high-water mark.
Flight period
Primarily June- September, peaking in July and August. Exceptionally March-September.
Nesting biology
Nests solitarily in loose sand on warm sheltered slopes. A single burrow is excavated in the sand and culminates in a single cell, in which a paralyzed spider is deposited and consumed by the developing wasp larvae after the egg has been laid. The nest entrance is temporarily covered by loose sand between visits by the female wasp.
Flowers visited
Unknown.
Similar species
- Other spider-hunting wasps
- Ichneumon wasps
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
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References
Publications
O’Hanlon, A. and O’Connor, J.P. 2021 The spider-hunting
wasps of Ireland (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). A review of the species, their
natural history and recorded distribution. Biology and Environment: Proceedings
of the Royal Irish Academy